 Shortly after Randy was honorably discharged from the military, he worked until he was no longer able to do so because of personal problems. He was homeless and without a job for fourteen years until 1996, when he was hospitalized and treated for his condition. Randy came to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) Mental Health Program with the hope of "getting a break, a chance to work again." He worked in packaging and assembly at the Work Center in August 1997, until he qualified for the special projects program and began doing janitorial work. In June1998, Randy transferred to a janitorial training program, where he worked full-time and was known as a team player and a cooperative, cheerful, and dependable worker. Early this year, Randy passed the County janitorial exam and has recently been hired full-time at a hospital. He is no longer receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) because he is now able to support himself. Randy has worked extremely hard to get to where he is now--a full-time job with benefits and an apartment of his own.
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 Melissa came to the Human Services Agency SUCCESS Center in November 1997. She had lost all her teeth due to drug abuse and poor health; she felt very self-conscious about this and thought that she would never again be able to get an office job. After completing the job-training workshop through the Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)Work Center, Melissa finally felt that she could work again. These services helped her find a temporary assignment. In April 1998, Melissa was hired as a clerk. In addition to her main responsibility, she also took on other duties, which demonstrated her motivation to succeed. Things really turned around for Melissa. She found a room to rent, saved money and was able to fix her teeth with the extra savings. In June 2000, Melissa has been with her job for over two years; she is valued immensely for her determination and hard work.
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 Aaron came to the SUCCESS Center in February 1999--it had been only a month since his release from jail. He became an alcoholic after his wife died of cancer three years before. Aaron was mandated by the courts to attend the Work First Program; though he felt forced to come, he was grateful. While seeking employment, he gained motivation through the jobs training workshop. Aaron accepted a job at the Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) WorkCenter as a forklift driver for $6/hour. While he worked, he persistently looked for a better job through the SUCCESS job center. Aaron said that working and looking for a better job helped him to sobriety with the help of AA meetings. Aaron now has a union job, attends weekly meetings, and belongs to an all-sober baseball league. By staying sober, Aaron was able to obtain and keep his driver's license, and get an even better job. He can now pay child support. He was reunited with his 15 year old daughter and his two older daughters. According to Aaron, "The bottom line is, I was able to pass drug tests and, as a result, I was finally able to join the Union (Teamsters)." Aaron keeps in touch with PeninsulaWorks--he often comes to visit and share his success with our current participants and us.
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 Cathy had been unemployed and on disability since the 1980's due to alcoholism. She came to PeninsulaWorks for food stamps and help with rent and started working in the kitchen at the Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) in 1998. She was such a hardworking and reliable employee that when a new location was opened, the firm took her with them. Over time, Cathy excelled. She has been employed for two years and is currently a supervisor at a cafe.
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